My guest blogger today is Jackie Morgan MacDougall, the mom of three perfect children under five who balances work and home life with ease. When she’s not learning a foreign language or volunteering overseas, she spends her nights making gourmet meals, doing Pilates and canoodling with her husband. She also likes to drink mass quantities of wine before writing her 100% truthful bio. (hiccup)

38 Going On 50

Writing a guest post on a site called Aging Backwards is – in a word – INTIMIDATING! While Jackie Silver holds her head high for fooling the public into thinking she’s actually a decade younger, Jackie MacDougall feels like she’s aged twice that in half the time.

In the past five years, I gave birth twice, underwent a double mastectomy and hysterectomy and was challenged mentally, emotionally and spiritually during a grueling adoption process. My husband and I are on opposite work schedules and time for our relationship is at an all-time minimum.

So let’s just say “aging backwards” in my head is something you find among fairies and unicorns.

But what I have learned through life over the past several years is that if you’re not feeding yourself, no one else will be getting the best of you either. I’ve had all the excuses in the world lately to not do the very things that make me feel good, about life and myself.

Date night The Excuse: Time, money and the very thought of shaving my legs has left me wanting a nap more than a little sump’n sump’n.

The result: Loss of connection and understanding with my husband not to mention the physical benefits of getting a little sweaty.

Exercise The Excuse: After regularly working out for the past few years, I let that priority fall as quickly as my butt. Once again time, money and focus on the kids and work were my excuses.

The result: Overeating, irritability and loss of muscle tone — the trifecta responsible for a cranky, chubby girl.

Time with girlfriends The Excuse: Time, money and… well, you get it – those darn needy little people.

The Result: Absence of belly-busting, uncontrollable laughter, leaving me uptight and even a bit depressed, all of which lead to less productivity at work and certainly no fun to be around for kids.

But today, all that is going to STOP.

Just writing down those vital things missing in my life and how those certain activities make me feel is enough to help me realize what I need to do. And this post is step number one to getting back on the road to living the life I’ve always wanted.

Write down what you’re missing in your life right now and join me in making a plan to achieve the balance needed to find your true happiness. I think you’ll be surprised that you, too, can get back to you. And that… can get you aging backwards and feeling fabulous!

See that? Jackie WAS right after all!

Want to read more from Jackie? Tomorrow, catch her at the The Daily Blonde.